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29 September 2010

Scalloped Table Cover Tutorial

No matter how many times we tell our girls "YOU ONLY DRAW ON PAPER!" their handwriting or artwork appears in unwanted locations: e.g. the house. I will admit, now that Pearl writes her name the correct way, I hesitate to scrub her scrawled signature off the wall. I also love how children are innocent enough to sign their name to their graffiti. But it's usually not so cute.

We purchased a table for the art room with legs we can change out to use as a taller desk. We moved it to the kitchen, however, and moved the table to the harp room and the harps to the living room. Why? Because the kids are in the kitchen no matter what. So, instead of having everyone clear off their homework and projects when it's time to eat, I set the table elsewhere. Meanwhile, I'd like to hang on to this table for a while and want to keep it looking decent. This is tablecloth number 3 and we're doing great so far.

Print this 2" scallop template on heavy cardstock, or use a glass or can to trace, though having a template makes a project with this many bumps not so bumpy. [Somehow, my scan didn't keep the original scale, so print at 130%, just the first page. Me and technology. Sheesh.]

Measure your surface and purchase some vinyl fabric found in the upholstery section of the store, a few inches larger to accommodate the hanging edges of the table cover. I looked for some green to match my countertops, but was not so successful. Remember how I had to go to Korea to find the perfect shade of nail polish to paint the cupboard knobs? So I opted for a contrasting, bright red.

When buying your fabric, kindly ask the lady at the cutting counter to ROLL your fabric. You will have unnecessary ill feelings toward her later if you don't and she does fold it, leaving creases that will eventually come out...months later. This was $9/yard [I bought 1 yard and used a coupon for 50% off.]

This one comes with a clear layer that protects your vinyl until ready to use. Leave it on if you like, I peeled mine off, as it also creates bubbles on the surface.Lay the vinyl wrong side down on your table. Pin your corners where they fit snugly [right triangle]. These will be sewn later.Mark the entire perimeter, measuring down from the table top. I kept mine short [8.5 cm], so the chairs and kid legs still fit under the table upon completion, as well as accessing the drawers underneath.Mark scallops with a pen/fine sharpie.Cut very smoothly with a small pair of sharp scissors that clip all the way to the end of the blades to get crisp valleys in your scallops. Sew the 4 pinned corners, trim the excess vinyl and turn right side out.A delightful byproduct is a whole bunch of cute crowns. Zig-zag stitch together.Set with some after school snacks, colorful pencils and watch your children gracefully ease into doing their homework!

Jessica--good question. If they are working in a notebook, it's fine. If it's a single piece of paper they have to write on with a pencil, it's easier if they put it on a book, since there is a slight padding to the vinyl. Coloring and drawing works just fine and Crayola markers come off easily.

Brilliant! I saw this post and went directly to Fabric.com and ordered a couple yards of vinyl. The second it arrives I am doing this to cover my dining/everything table. It could use a facelift and this is the way to do it! Thanks for the great post!!!

Fantastic, and I have to say I almost love the crown more than the tablecloth. My girl went through the same thing at that age. She wrote/drew on everything: walls, bed, floor. Thankfully she eventually decided that paper really was the way to go!

I love this! I normally do something similiar with the kitchen table using a holiday table cloth, but I've not done something cute with the edges before!The Mitered corners keep the cloth on the table and make it super easy for wiping/scrubbing it down too!LOVE IT!

Did you make your curtains, as well, Katy? Have you posted about them before? We have a few windows in our kitchen that are hurting for something pretty (without being too busy or dart) and those look great! I'd love more info!